WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – Purdue Associate Dean of Students Pablo Malavenda was charged for the theft of household items, such as bedding, pumpkins and light bulbs.

According to a Wal-mart Asset Protection Associate, Malavenda entered the store and purchased several items in three different transactions. Then he exited the store.

Malavenda re-entered the store without the purchased items but with the receipts from those items.

He selected the same items he purchased previously and passed all registers without purchased those items.

The Asset Protection Associate instructed a store greeter to check the receipts. As Malavenda passed through the doors, the alarm sounded and the store greeter verified his receipts.

Malavenda then re-entered the store at a different entrance with the items he had not paid for. He used the original receipts to return the items he selected on his second visit to the store, totaling $160.17. 

Malavenda received a refund, headed to the hardware area, and placed light bulbs into his bag. He passed the registers and left the store without purchasing them. Once outside Wal-Mart, Malavenda was then seen placing three pumpkins into a shopping cart and loading them into his vehicle.

Malavenda was then arrested on charges of Theft. In the process of being transported to jail, Malavenda asked why he was being arrested and Lt. Fohr replied that he knew what he did.

Malavenda was arrested on Saturday for shoplifting at the West Lafayette Wal-mart on US 52 and arrested on a preliminary charge of theft.

According to the Purdue salary database, Malavenda has a salary of $69,500 per year.

Purdue spokewoman Jeanne Norberg has confirmed Malavenda is on paid administrative leave, as of Monday and is working from home. She said the University should finish up its investigation by the end of the month.

Purdue Assistant Dean of Students Martia Brawner has been named interim Associate Dean while Malavenda is on leave.

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